Improvement in the mode of tightening and securing the keys of the journal-boxes of



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI DE DERIcK, oF

ALBANY, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT lN THE MODE 0F TIGHTENING AND SECURING THE KEYS 0F TME JOURNAL-BOXES 0F CONNECTlNG-RODS 0R PITMEN. f Y

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 19,548, dated March 9, 1858.

To all whom it may concern: f

Be itknown that I, LEVI DEDERIGK, of Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Method ot' Tightening and Securing the Keys of the Journal-Boxes of Connecting-Rods or Pitmen; and I do hereby declare that the following, is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speci- 1ication,-in which- Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side view and front view ot' a pitman having my inven tion applied in different ways t the two journal-boxes, Fig. 1 representing one of the jour nal-boxes partly in section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

This invention consists iu the application of springs to the tightening-keys of the journalboxes of connecting-rods and pitmen in such a manner that the said springs will drive up the keys to tighten up the boxes as fast as required by the wear ot' the boxes and journals, and hold the keys in their places to retain the proper degree ot tightness of the boxes.

To enable others 'to put my invention in practice, I will proceed to describe the ways ot' applying it and its operation.

A is the pitman, having its stub ends respectively indicated by c and a. b and b are thejournals. c d and c' d are the linings ot' the boxes which fit thejournals. e andfare the straps, and fand f the bolts which confine the straps. All the above-mentioned parts are constructed and applied in the .usual manner.

The upper journal-box is represented as havi ing the keyg applied in the most common manner-viz., passing through two slots in the strap, and between the stub end a and liningpiece c in a direction transverse to the axis ot' the journal. This key is turned down toa cylindrical form at the smaller extremity, and has cut upon it a screw-thread, to which is fitted a nut, i, and between this nut and the strap is applied the spring h, which constitutes my invention. rIhis spring is spiral and coiled round the key, and by its pressure against the nut it exerts a constant tendency to draw in the key and tighten up the lining-pieces c d upon thejournal, and consequently when the pressure of the journal is thrown upon` the piece d, and the piece cis relieved, if there is any slackness in the box the spring draws in the key and tightens it. The spring also at allltimes prevents the key working back and allowing the box to get loose.

The lower box is represented as having the keyT g applied between the stub end a' and lining-piece b in a direction parallel with the journal. The spring g', applied to this key, is a plate-spring, and is secured by a screw or other means to that side ot' the stub end a o'n whiehis the head ot the key,on which it presses constantly, so as to prevent the key drawing out and asto drive itt'arther in to tighten up the box, whenever necessary, when the pressure oi' thejournal is on the lining-piece d and the piece c' is relieved. y

Either of the above ways `of applying the `spring and key may be applied to either or both of thejournal-boxes ot' a connecting-rod or pitman.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The application of springs to act upon the tightening-keys of the journal-boxes ot' oonfor the purpose herein specitied.

LEVI DEDER-TCK.

Witnesses:

J. H. HoYsscUT'r, WILLIAM BEARING.

necting-rods and pitmen, substantially as and 

